Dear friends,
Why do we need to keep on SINGing to Lord and for the Lord?
First, S – Singing is a prescription from the Bible, and should be continued in our churches.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:26 “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.”
It is not just the preaching or the teaching of the Word of God that will strengthen the church but also the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Singing is actually one of the things that we will be doing throughout eternity. In Revelation 5:12-13 we have been given a peek of what is happening in heaven, and it includes singing.
Second, I – Invite people to hear the Good News of Salvation to people when we sing.
There is a great story in Acts 16. Paul and Silas were severely flogged and then shackled inside their prison cell but at about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
They were praying and singing despite of their very bad situation. That is lesson for us. Can we still pray and sing when we are in a bad situation? Paul and Silas gave us a good example.
Now, why were the guards and the prisoners convinced that what they are singing and praying is real? They were convinced because when the earthquake happened, they did not escape although there was an opportunity for them to do so. What is interesting was that the other prisoners followed theirs example. They did not escape also. That is what an example should be.
The result of this is that the jailer decided to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as well as his whole family. And in that early morning, the jailer risked everything when they went out of prison so that Paul and Silas can baptize him and his family.
And to think that all of these started with a prayer and singing of songs. That is how God can use our prayers and songs.
Third, N – New music comes from the heart as we encounter new experiences from God.
We make music out of our experiences because music is easy to remember. This is the reason why Paul told the Ephesians to sing.
Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”
Now here is a question to ponder. How many psalms can you memorize? Hymns? Spiritual songs? Paul is telling us to memorize these songs because it can help us, and others.
Fourth, G – Gratefulness to God should lead us to sing.
But what kind of song? Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Three types are given here – psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. We actually do not know the tune of most of the songs in the Bible. Only the tunes of some songs were passed down. But we can do is give new tunes to the psalms of David. We can compose spiritual songs that give praises to God.
But more importantly, Paul tells us that it is because of our thanksgiving to God that we can sing.
Let us continue to sing to the Lord and for the Lord. In doing so, God is pleased and people will hear the Gospel of salvation.
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on